Shaw completed his £30million move to Manchester United last week and, while the Saints are looking at left-sided options, it is understood that new St Mary's boss Ronald Koeman is set to give Targett an opportunity to impress.

The 18-year-old, who is an England youth international, made the breakthrough into the Saints' first-team squad last term, making the bench in both the Premier League and League Cup and the club believe he could save them millions in the transfer market by replacing Shaw.

Targett is now set to be given pre-season to show his credentials to Koeman, with a view to starting next season at left-back.

Sky Sports also understands that Targett will be handed a new long-term deal before the start of the season, amid claims earlier this year that the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool were all monitoring his progress.

ood grief. Someone guessed that the form English player at the moment might be in his national side with some other players? And that's espionage? Now if they discovered that Emile Heskey was going to be in the starting line up.... at right back.... THAT would be espionage. Give it a rest Roy.